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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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... decided I wouldn't consider it any further.
The vehicle handled well and the dash "StI sweep" at start up was cool. The 17" tires and all-time AWD gripped great in torrential rain. The two front seats had lots of support and I liked the Nav unit that was in it. That's about all I've got good to say about it.
The vehicle is quirky looking. But that's Subaru for you. You don't really buy it for the looks (although I love the looks of the Forester XT). Behind the front seats, you run out of space real quick. It's kind of arranged so that no one in the back will ever be happy with their space. And sticker was 36k and change. The engine is peaky, always searching for a higher gear in town and the towing allowance is pretty pathetic as well.
I was thinking it would put up more of a fight against the Pilot, but even w/ the 17" wheels and all time AWD, it got thrashed (in my most humble opinion).
Doug |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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From what I have read, Subaru is actually aiming higher than the Pilot - closer to the MDX. As far as AWD system goes, the Subaru beats the Honda VTM hands down, IMHO.
All said, the B9 just does not jump out at me as a "must have" type of vehicle. Instead, it is only mildly better looking than an Aztek! :shock: |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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| I just can't get past the grill. Just looks a little odd to me. doesn't seem to go with the rest of the car. I'm sure it is a good product however. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
I just can't get past the grill. Just looks a little odd to me. doesn't seem to go with the rest of the car. I'm sure it is a good product however.
As the owner of a Subie, there is a good percentage of people out there (Subie owners) that buy Subarus for the same reason some people love English Bulldogs. I happen to love both. That being said, Suby owners know what their cars look like...and love them anyway. They are quirky but the dependability and functionality vastly outweigh the looks. And after a while, even the looks are beautful in their own way. For sure, the B9 is a strange looking beast, but it doesn't have the functionality to overcome this shortcoming. What Subaru needs is a three-row Forester w/ a 3.0L DOHC turbo. In the meantime, I'll probably buy a Ridgeline.
Doug |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Boudreaux wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
I just can't get past the grill. Just looks a little odd to me. doesn't seem to go with the rest of the car. I'm sure it is a good product however.
As the owner of a Subie, there is a good percentage of people out there (Subie owners) that buy Subarus for the same reason some people love English Bulldogs. I happen to love both. That being said, Suby owners know what their cars look like...and love them anyway. They are quirky but the dependability and functionality vastly outweigh the looks. And after a while, even the looks are beautful in their own way. For sure, the B9 is a strange looking beast, but it doesn't have the functionality to overcome this shortcoming. What Subaru needs is a three-row Forester w/ a 3.0L DOHC turbo. In the meantime, I'll probably buy a Ridgeline.
Doug
Maybe I'm an exception too because I never felt any of my Subarus were quirky looking - 'cept maybe the Justy I had. But then I never really considered it a REAL Subaru either. Actually, the Justy was rather disappointing overall. I had EXCELLENT luck with all of my others though. While I really like the looks of the new Legacy/Outback models, I can only ride in one about 100 miles and I hurt so bad I can hardly move. The seats are just too low for me. What's weird, my S2K is probably even lower, and it does not hurt me at all. It must be related to the support in the seats. :shock: |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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| Seems they have the most loyal following of most any car I know of. People either love em or hate em. Not much in between. They are good vehicles. Just never seem to see a lot of them. I have heard the observation that they need a three seater a lot lately. As for dogs, I have Yorkies. Have had them for over 20 years. No reason. I just like em. |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Seems they have the most loyal following of most any car I know of. People either love em or hate em. Not much in between. They are good vehicles. Just never seem to see a lot of them. I have heard the observation that they need a three seater a lot lately. As for dogs, I have Yorkies. Have had them for over 20 years. No reason. I just like em.
What I have seen for Subaru following is that it depends so much on the area you live. There are towns in Colorado where I swear 50% of the cars are Subarus! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
As for dogs, I have Yorkies. Have had them for over 20 years. No reason. I just like em.
Yep, them Yorkies make real good eatin'! τΏτ
Doug |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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Came home today w/ a Pathfinder. Great deal on a nice vehicle. It finally boiled down to the Pilot v. Pathfinder. I walked away from a Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Nissan Armada (Homer: mmmmm Armada), Toyota Freelander (? on the name, not sure), Suby B9 (sold mw WRX) to get to those two vehicles. It came down to the fold up second-row seats (got two kids now) and optional 2WD-4WD high-4WD low. Towing is also superior, but that wasn't a real issue since I am planning on getting a pop-up camper and both vehicles would have pulled it well.
I gave up some interior space by going w/ the Nissan, but don't think I'll miss it as it feels cavernous coming from a WRX. Have driven both vehicles and the Pathfinder pulls and sounds just like my brother in law's Z71 (flame suit on τΏτ).
Which brings me to my point. Did some of you guys boil it down to the Ridgeline v. Frontier? If so, I'd love to hear why you chose the Ridgeline over the Frontier.
Doug |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
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| Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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Boudreaux wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
If so, I'd love to hear why you chose the Ridgeline over the Frontier.
Doug
Balance!!! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
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| Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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Boudreaux wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Which brings me to my point. Did some of you guys boil it down to the Ridgeline v. Frontier? If so, I'd love to hear why you chose the Ridgeline over the Frontier.
Wow! I dont even consider these two vehicles in the same class or category for 2 reasons.
1 - I actually traded in my '04 nissan 350z for the ridgeline. I had so many problems out of my nissan it was pathetic! The worst part is there service department and warranty issues. I completely lost faith in nissan and am pretty sure I will never own another one.
2 - I consider the ridgeline more of a luxury sut, and the frontier being nothing but a little truck. I actually didnt even want a truck to begin with, only an suv. After driving the ridgeline, I knew I had to have one! I liked the pilot at first but would not need the 3rd row seats at all. So now I have all the room I could want (for 5) and extra bed for whatever I need to haul. I think I read a review of the ridgeline that stated, "its the truck for people who dont need a truck." This is absolutely true for me! |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
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| Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:08 am Post subject: |
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Kevin3 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
~snip~
I liked the pilot at first but would not need the 3rd row seats at all. So now I have all the room I could want (for 5) and extra bed for whatever I need to haul. I think I read a review of the ridgeline that stated, "its the truck for people who dont need a truck." This is absolutely true for me!
This is exactly where I came from. I owned a Pilot for about 2 1/2 years and loved it, but finally decided the 3rd seat did little to nothing for my needs. The bed and storage trunk of the RidgeLine offers so much more (IMHO).
:D |
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Ridgeline4wd_Archive
Joined: 01 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:04 pm Post subject: Re: Test Drove a Subaru B9 Tribeca Yesterday, and... |
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rapid-richard wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I just can't get past the grill. Just looks a little odd to me. doesn't seem to go with the rest of the car. I'm sure it is a good product however.
I agree... that grill is just butt ugly... that said Subaru makes a great all wheel drive car. |
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